Epigenetics Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects Introduction

Within the last decade, epigenetics has developed as a branch of molecular genetics and is currently experiencing a true hype. One of the most fascinating but also scaring findings of epigenetics is the confirmation of the old presumption that the environment can have lasting effects on gene expression maybe even into the next generation(s). Thus, epigenetics has not only hugely expanded the horizon concerning the understanding of regulation mechanisms that influence the appearance of organisms, epigenetic knowledge pools also have a huge potential for innovations - especially in the health care sector (e.g. fighting cancer, Alzheimer's and diabetes). But epigenetic research also provides advice for "better living" in respect to diet, everyday behavior, social relations and many more. This volume illuminates ethical, legal and social aspects of epigenetics from multidisciplinary perspectives that have been given little consideration to date. Here we will introduce its contributions and put them into context.